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I have a small oil leak, I notice small oil drips after driving. The bottom of the lower oil pan was wet, when I looked up I noticed that there was oil below the exhaust manifold on the driver side. I think the upper oil pan could be leaking, and possibly the lower oil pan as well. Any ideas what could be leaking? Oil below the exhaust manifold on the driver side.
Last edited by desertfrog; 08-29-2020 at 07:38 PM.
Reason: Adding more information.
I have not looked, but the previous owner replaced them two months and less than 300 miles ago so I assume they are OK. I believe this is fairly simple to check, remove plastic cover and the air boxes?
yeah. maybe he didn't clean the mating surfaces well enough or maybe the oil is residual should clean it off with rag and see if it build back up. other common leak is from the rear main seal most people leave those as they don't leak too much and you can just get it sorted if you ever have to drop the transmission for other work.
If your upper oil pan is indeed leaking? I can tell you from past experience, that this is a big job. The entire front sub-frame to include steering rack and suspension will need to come out, and the entire oil pan will need to come out.
The oil pna mating surfaces will need to be cleaned, and RTV applied. And the whole assembly needs to be rebolted up and sealed. Then wait at least 24 hrs for the RTV to cure before filling the pan up with engine oil, to check for leaks.
Then the front subframe get bolted back into place, and a front end alignment done. But why your at it, it would be a good time to change engine mounts. But I hope that's not it. As the labor wasn't cheap.
Thank you for all your input. A little background on my car, it has a 168k miles, and original head bolts. It's been well maintained, at the dealer all the way up to 158k miles. The leak is small, it does drip on my garage but only after driving. Here is my plan:
1) Keep it as is and monitor oil levels, a leak at the bottom of the engine makes a mess but doesn't harm any components.
2) Wait for something else to go wrong that will require engine out work.
3) With the engine out, pay to perform all other preventive maintenance items. Seals, parts that haven't been replaced yet and of course head bolts.
I would want the head bolt job to be done properly, remove the head completely, replace head gasket and clean the valves. I believe the lifters and camshafts on my car are in good shape, per second owner who replaced the valve cover gaskets. I think a job like that will be around $8k or so.
The car is not an investment, I bought it to own in long term.
1) Keep it as is and monitor oil levels, a leak at the bottom of the engine makes a mess but doesn't harm any components.
2) Wait for something else to go wrong that will require engine out work.
3) With the engine out, pay to perform all other preventive maintenance items. Seals, parts that haven't been replaced yet and of course head bolts.
Couple things....just my 2 cents.
First, I've never owned a car and had to go past #1 above.
Second, this is not a Ferrari. It had better not have any "engine out" service!!!
I will say this small oil leaks have a tendency to turn into big leaks. Some members suggested that, I use Stop Leak from my previous upper oil pan leak.
I personally don't recommend it, as I'm a fix right the first time kind of a guy. I don't like using band aids.
I hear you, as I’ve sunk tons of cash into my E63 to get it sorted out. As I also plan to keep it for awhile. 😁. I’ve definitely put more money into this car, then it’s worth.
I hear you, as I’ve sunk tons of cash into my E63 to get it sorted out. As I also plan to keep it for awhile. 😁. I’ve definitely put more money into this car, then it’s worth.
I got a wagon so I feel obligated to keep it running well. I am also partly motivated to prove that the M156 is a good engine that can go well passed 200k without major repairs if maintained properly.
Granted, I had more work done then just an upper oil pan leak. I had the power steering pump and reservoir replaced, engine and transmission mounts replaced.
But just for the upper oil pan was $1935, it is labor intensive just remove everything to gain access to the full oil pan. The entire engine sub frame and front suspension has to come out.
The rear main seal cannot be done, without removing the entire transmission, trans coolant lines, drive shaft and exhaust. And that is another cost all together.
I completely agree that the M156, is as reliable as the M113K, despite what is said on the internet.
08-29-2020, 05:49 PM
